|
Spinybacked Orbweaver
(Gasteracantha cancriformis), League City, TX pg2
 This
spider,
for all its outwardly visible anatomical distinctions, still spins
ordinary snares in the form of a very typical orb, with radial threads
that converge on a hub, frame threads at the periphery, and catching
threads spiraling on radials from hub to frame. The female rests, head
downward, at the hub. Here the vibrating radials inform the spider's
outstretched legs where prey has landed. The hard abdomen has six sharp
spines that discourage birds and other predators. I have not seen this
happen, but a bird that snatched one up and attempted to swallow it
without first masticating it thoroughly would most likely be forced to
spit it out. One bad experience with this spider would, methinks, teach
a lasting lesson, as the hard spines make swallowing such a meal not
only painful but nigh unto impossible. Perhaps as a result of their
extraordinary defenses these spiders tend to proliferate in locales
where flying insects are plentiful. Their faculty for reducing flying
insects in our yards and orchards makes
them beneficial to man, who, for his part, alternately blesses and
curses them. A careless jaunt across a yard with an abundance of these
creatures leaves both man and spider upset. Since this is a relatively
pugnacious spider, close encounters may result in a painful, though otherwise unremarkable, spider bite,
especially when the spider is importunely trapped between its web and a
human interloper's skin.
This may come as a surprise, as misguided myths concerning our
orbweaving friends abound. A lecture on spiders that I recently attended
was given by an entomologist who remarked that most orbweavers, this species included, are
wholly unable to bite humans. That is untrue. I regularly receive
reports from individuals who have been bitten by this spider. To be
sure, none of these individuals suffered serious, lasting wounds. They
were no worse, and usually much less bothersome, than a bee sting, and
all cleared up within days.
Suggestion: Walk carefully around this
spider, and be thankful for the
efficient capacity it has for ridding our yards of countless harmful flying
insects.
NEXT PAGE
* PAGE MENU:
1 * 2 *
3 *
*
TERMITE ENCOUNTERS *
SNAKE ENCOUNTERS * SNAKE
BITE FIRST AID *
SNAKE EXCLUSION *
SPIDER
ENCOUNTERS *
SPIDER
BITE FIRST AID *
SPIDER
EXTERMINATION
*
PUSS CATERPILLAR ENCOUNTERS *
PUSS CATERPILLAR FIRST AID *
PUSS CATERPILLAR EXTERMINATION
*
Assembled & Edited by
Jerry Cates. Questions? Corrections? Comments?
BUG
ME
RIGHT
NOW!
---- Ph: 512-331-1111 ----
E-Mail ----
Privacy
----BugsInTheNews
|